Here I go confusing myself again.

I had been pretty set that I wanted a 4 5/8 SBH 44mag and as I'm in no rush, had been patiently looking. I came a cross a FA 97 in 41mag in 5.5" and am intrigued. I cannot imagine that the 41 vs the 44 is all that different to deter my decision. And while the 5.5 is a touch longer, I could probably live with that.

...am I talking myself into this, probably. Now the coin question...

The FA is $1800, which seems high based on my BB. What's a good price for a used 97 in 41 mag that is near new?

I think you're going to have trouble finding another used M97 in .41 mag. There's a few used ones on GB in .45 Colt, but I didn't see any .41's, when I looked. .454 M83's are easy to find used, as people often find the recoil too stiff.

Both the small & large FA are made like big watches, and compared to guns of similar quality, I think they are reasonable in price. If you find a 41 and like it then I'd jump on it, myself.

I agree. I did a GB search of closed auctions and didn't see a one for a M97 in 41. I have been watching the 83s for a 44mag, but they are scarce as well. I don't think I'm interested in a 454 despite the fact that they seem to be most plentiful.

The FA is a fine piece as long as you do not want to shoot the heavies as the cylinder is short.

I watch GB all the time for 97s in .41s and the only ones recently have been new and well over $2K. The last collection of "used" ones were NIB and there was four of them in three barrel lengths. They went for in the $1800-1950 range if I remember correctly. .41s don't last long...

The 97/.41 I have is a 4.25" with round butt and black Micarta grips...it is a great shooter. I passed up a 5.5" with Mag-Na-Port and black Micarta graips just after I bought the shorty and regret it...it may be coming back up for sale and I already told a friend who knows the guy who has it I would like a shot at it...

The only drawback to the 97 in .41 is that Keith bullets have to be seated and crimped over the front driving band...use a WFN LBT style bullet and the problem is solved. I have not found any factory ammo that won't go but I don't think that the Buffalo Bore 230s or 265s will.... Federal and CorBon 250s work fine...

$1800 is a very decent price...and .41 beats a .44 any day... ;-)


Bob

Bob. I hoped you'd chime in and figured you'd tout the 41. It seems the drawback, in general, is a short cylinder (as EdM said) limiting bullet selection. I'd be doing factory loads, so that is a consideration.

Interesting that the BB price on these is so out of synch with the market. Great info...thanks

BB prices are out of date before they're even printed.

If you want the 41 jump on it.

My thinking on heavy caliber revolvers has evolved over the years. In years past I loaded magnum revos quite hot - now I am content to see 1250-1300 fps - if we are talking about heavy, big flat nosed, non-expanding bullets. A 355 hard cast, launched out of a .480 Ruger, will shoot through an old tree a foot in diameter, let alone animals. Pushing them to 1600 fps doesn't seem to buy so much.

Now, making bigger holes is appealing - hence the .480 Ruger. If I was going to spend the coin for a M83, I'd think hard about the .500 Wyoming.

$1800 and near new? I would be all over that.

The last time I mentioned Blue Book to a gun store owner, he laughed at me. I learned not to do that anymore.

If all you are using is factory ammo it is really a non-issue. As said all but a couple of the rounds will go in the 97. Really all you need are the Federal 250 CastCore for a heavy, Speer 210 Gold Dot for an expander and the original 210 Remington SP for expansion and penetration....and they all fit in the 97. As to cast, Magma is the bullet most reloaders use in commercial ammo...like Georgia Arms, and they are short enough to fit also...

Bob

...not to mention the blue book or not to rely on it?

I would not hesitate to spend 1800 of your dollars on that revolver. I'd spend 1800 of my own if I didn't have other priorities right now.

Follow your heart.


Travis

IMO the Blue Book has always been bogus. Dealers will go by it as if it is THE ULTIMATE TRUTH when it suits their purpose and eschew it when it does not. In truth it has become less and less relevant both the more prices have wildly fluctuated the past few years and also with the advent of online examples which are much more "real-time".

There are five Freedom Arms '97 pistols on GunBroker right now, none of them with actual bids. They are all over $2000. Be advised.

I'm trying to learn something here. Glad you could provide some guidance.

I hear ya, that largely tells me folks have over-valued their handguns.